Stevenage Indoor Market has welcomed a new shop which will sell sportswear at affordable prices, with profits being put back into the community.

The Sparx Sports Store is a charity-run operation which works with victims, vulnerable people and supports rehabilitation schemes. 

The shop comes as part of the Build a Better Bedwell initiative run by Herts police.

The project is a government scheme, which aims to regenerate the Bedwell area by driving out crime and encouraging the community to work with partner agencies to improve the area and make it less attractive to criminals.

Chief Inspector Mark Clawson and former Neighbourhood Inspector Nick Redfearn, worked closely with Stevenage Borough Council to bring the new shop to the town centre, using money secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

Chief Inspector Mark Clawson said: “I am delighted that the shop is finally trading. I’d like to thank both colleagues at Stevenage Borough Council and the Hertfordshire PCC's Office, for their support in bringing this to fruition.

"I hope the sports store will prove to be a real benefit to the Bedwell area and the rest of Stevenage. Please pop down and see Kitrina Vertue, a Bedwell resident and new shop manager, to grab a bargain!”